Local animal group offers mobile vet clinic

The Animal Protection League, an organization that offers low-cost spay/neuter surgeries, has purchased a mobile vet clinic to help reduce the number of unwanted puppies and kittens in East Texas.

"We will be coming to the Marshall area every other Monday in the beginning with the potential of coming every Monday as the demand is needed," said league spokeswoman Sheila Phillips.

The Humane Society of Harrison County has allowed the League to use their parking lot to park the mobile unit.

Animal Protection League opened its low-cost spay/neuter and vaccination program in June 1996 in Sulphur Springs. The Longview office was opened in September 2003, Phillips said.

"All of our veterinarians are licensed by the Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners," she said.

The mobile unit will be available to other humane societies and shelters that need the services.

"Our goal is to have it rolling out to other surrounding areas seven days a week in the future," she said.

As the League celebrates its 15-year anniversary, the demand for a low-cost option to spay/neuter surgeries is growing.

"We are finding people in our surrounding communities unable to drive to one of our existing programs," Phillips said. "A mobile unit was the next best option to be able to reach out to surrounding areas."

Sterilization costs vary by type and breed of animal. All surgeries will require an appointment.

To schedule an appointment for the mobile vet clinic, call (903) 440-4911.

No appointments are necessary for the vaccination clinics.

A pet's annual shot package is $25 and includes rabies, distemper/parvo and bordetella for the dogs. Cat packages consist of rabies, distemper and leukemia. Rabies shots cost $7.

Heartworm and flea medicines also can be purchased at the group's shot clinics.

The Animal Protection League's low-cost pet sterilization program has sterilized more than 55,000 area pets.

For information, call (903) 440-4911 for the mobile unit or (903) 753-7387 for the Longview operations.